Name: Sister Margaret Flynn, D.C.

Number of years a Daughter of Charity: 62 years

Home Town: Milford, Mich.

Residence: Seton Residence, Evansville

What kind of person are you? Describe yourself. I was born on a farm in southeast Michigan and grew up with seven brothers and two sisters. As the eighth of those 10 children, you can see that I learned early in life to fight my own battles under the influence of my peaceful parents who helped me tone down my rough edges. I have always had a special relationship with my brothers and sisters, and we shared interests in reading, history and music.

What is the first memory you have of “church”? We always went to Mass as a family and sat in the two pews for which my father paid rent at St. Augustine parish. About two years ago, I visited this country church, and found that more than 80 years later, our Flynn name was still on our pews.

What is a summer time memory of your childhood? When I was 7 years old, I attended a summer program for children preparing for reception of the sacraments. As we sat on the grass in the shade, we listened to a sister who was a wonderful storyteller. In describing the martyrs of the Church, she told us that people who shed their blood for Christ would be sure of going to heaven. I decided that I was going to be a martyr because I wanted to go to heaven. I am not sure that my desire for martyrdom lasted more than that day, but my 7-year-old resolve was put to the test throughout my adult years.

Describe a time that you were scared or fearful. When I was 14, lightning hit a large tree next to our home and the room I was in was ablaze in light. For a long time, I was fearful of storms and would awaken members of my family during the night. However, a few years later when I was baby-sitting during a storm, I knew I couldn’t let the children know my fears and took them close to a window to watch the storm. Their interest and enthusiasm calmed my fears, and I have no longer been afraid of storms.

What made you feel proud as a child? I was proud that our home was welcoming to our friends. They could come any time, have a meal, and if need be, stay overnight.

Who were your favorite singers or actors when you were young? My favorites were Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy. I loved their singing.

What did you do for fun as a child and as a teenager? On long winter nights my mother would read Bible stories and children’s books to us, and we played games, had popcorn and taffy candy pulls. I would also sit on our front porch in the evening, and my father would try to show me the northern lights. To this day, I still can’t find them. As a teenager, I developed close relationships with some of my girl friends. After high school, our lives went separate ways. However, one of my best friends, Doris, got in contact with me, and we have shared many memories, such as the comment from her mother that she was glad I had dinner with them because I always ate everything. This renewed friendship has been special to me this past 35 years.

Did you feel an actual call to be a sister? How did you come to know the Daughters of Charity and to become part of this community? I had three aunts who were religious sisters, so I was aware of their lifestyle. One day when I was 6 years old, I looked at my mother and said to myself, “Some day I will be far away from my mother,” and then I never thought about it again until I was 24 years old when I was going to Baltimore, Md., to begin preparation as a Daughter of Charity. Baltimore seemed worlds away from Michigan, and I could hear myself saying those words again. I did not know the Daughters of Charity before I joined them, but knew that God was leading me all the way. Here I am at age 86 and I have been a Daughter for 62 years.

Who was a hero of your youth? Who are your heroes now? There have been many persons I truly admire, beginning with my parents and certain teachers. In my adult life, one stands out. Sister Marcella Bromwell was one of the directresses in the seminary when I was a novice. I have tried to make her philosophy of life my own, and until her death she was a true friend.

Have you ever doubted that God exists? I don’t think I ever doubted the existence of God, but I did have a “crisis of faith” when I made my First Communion and thought the host would be like the candy wafer I had often tasted. When I found that it was hard to manage, I forgot the “holy prayers” I had been practicing. This was also true when I discovered that an altar boy was ringing the bell as the priest held up the host during the consecration and it was not ringing automatically. So, at age 7, I had to re-evaluate my Catholic Christianity.

Have you ever encountered a miracle or God’s intervention in your life? The words of Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you” tell me that every day is a miracle. I also think of Psalm 139: “You search me, Lord, and know me … You read my inmost thoughts … You know where I have been … Where can I hide from You? ... You knitted me in my mother’s womb … You saw my body grow according to Your design … You recorded all my days before they began …”

Why ought a person be faithful, go to church, or believe in God? Each person is the handiwork of God. We are His by design. Thus, we should be faithful. Going to church is a more secure way of honoring Him. It keeps before us God’s presence in our lives.

What do you like most about being Catholic? What I like most about being Catholic is our belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament as well as our belief that he founded the Catholic Church with his message through his apostles.

What have you learned in the last 50 years? Bundles! I can see a plan that has led me from one experience to another, each in turn preparing for the next. It helps me to see God’s plan in my life.

What makes a success? Success usually depends on keeping a focus on the project or situation at hand. A well-thought-out plan and collaboration with others would likely be a success if it is God’s will.

What is the last good movie you have seen or good book you have read? The last good movie I have seen was The Passion of the Christ. I enjoyed the book, Sisters, which had stories of the various Orders of Religious Women who have served the mission of the Church in the United States to the present time.

How do you stay active? I do some work for our archives, take a turn at the reception desk at Seton Residence, meet with students of the University of Southern Indiana and Mater Dei High School, participate in various activities of Seton, the Ministry of Prayer, and I am taking an art course in water color.

Do you have any special religious devotions? I have a special devotion to the Trinity, Blessed Mother and the saints of my community, especially Saints Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac, Catherine Laboure and Elizabeth Ann Seton.

What is your favorite religious item? My favorite religious statue is Mater Dei – Blessed Mother and the Child Jesus – which was given to me in 1967 when I celebrated my 25th Jubilee as a Daughter of Charity. Not only did it represent a favorite devotion, but within a year I was changed from the Emmitsburg Province in Maryland to the new Mater Dei Province that was to be located in Evansville. It was one more example of God’s plan in my life.

What is your best wisdom on life? We should pray to know God’s will for us and ask for the grace and strength to follow through on it, even though it might be difficult and not to our liking at the time.